You've Heard of CBD but What is CBN Oil?

If you have used CBD oil, you might be interested in its sister CBN oil. If you’ve never heard of CBN or cannabinol, it is a minor compound found in hemp and marijuana plants.  CBD and THC are the most talked about cannabinoids found in cannabis, but there are actually many lesser-known cannabinoids found in hemp.  These include CBDa (cannabigerolic acid) CBDa (cannabidiolic acid}, CBDV (cannabidivarin), CBG (cannabigerol), CBC (cannabichromene). and CBN (cannabinol).

What is CBN (Cannabinol)?

CBN (or cannabinol) is one of the more interesting cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. We've known about CBN for quite some time, but we are just now learning how CBN works and what it does. CBN has not been studied as much as CBD and THC. This is mainly because CBD and THC are the two primary compounds found in cannabis.  CBN is a minor cannabinoid that is not naturally produced in large amounts. This makes it harder to extract and more difficult to study.

However, we do know a few things about CBN.  When CBN was first discovered, researchers thought CBN was the component of marijuana that makes you feel high.   As we studied cannabis more, we identified THC as the psychoactive compound in cannabis.  CBN is actually a byproduct created when THC breaks down.  This happens naturally as hemp ages and is exposed to light and heat.

How is CBN oil made?

Because CBN is a byproduct, and a minor cannabinoid, it’s not naturally created in large quantities. This makes producing CBN oil more challenging. In order to create CBN in larger amounts, hemp producers often use UV lights and heat to accelerate the oxidation process that breaks down THC and converts it to CBN.

Because CBN is more difficult to produce, there aren’t as many CBN oils on the market.  Most CBN oils contain a mixture of CBD and CBN, but you can find CBN oils that are exclusively made from CBN. At CBD Store of Michigan, we carry CBN oils that contain a combination of CBD and CBN, as well as CBN tinctures that only contain CBN.

What is the difference between CBD Oil and CBN Oil?

• CBD is found naturally in hemp plants. CBN only occurs if the plant ages and the THC breaks down into CBN.CBD is considered a major cannabinoid.
  
• CBN is a minor cannabinoid.CBD does not usually have a sedating effect. CBN can be sedating, especially at higher doses, and is often used as a sleep aid.
• CBD has been extensively researched. There has been very little research on CBN.
• CBD is easier to produce and in most states, easy to find. There are fewer CBN oils on the market.
  

CBD and CBN are two separate compounds derived from the cannabis plant. While they are both considered cannabinoids, how they interact with the endocannabinoid system and affect the body is different. CBD is generally used for different reasons than CBN. However, combining the two may have a positive effect. This is because cannabinoids often work better together. This is also why full-spectrum CBD oils are often recommended.

CBN is believed to have a sedating effect. It’s often used as a sleep aid or taken at bedtime.   This may be due to the fact that it is a byproduct of  THC.  While it isn’t THC and doesn't contain THC, it appears to have similar effects on sleep and appetite, without making a person feel high.

What are the benefits of CBN oil?

We know that cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system, but we are just now studying some of the benefits of CBN.  While we can’t claim that CBN oil can be used as a medical treatment for any specific health conditions, research suggests that CBN oil may provide the following benefits.

CBN Oil may improve sleep
CBN oil is widely used for sleep. There is some evidence that suggests CBN has a sedating effect, but this has mainly been shown when CBN is used in combination with THC.   The reason why some people believe it helps with sleep is that it is derived from THC. which is known to make people drowsy.  However, there are no scientific studies that support this claim.  This is mainly due to the fact that we just haven’t researched CBN enough. 

CBN Oil may help with pain
CBN has anti-inflammatory properties that may help with pain. Although most people use CBD oil for pain, CBN may provide complementary benefits when added to a CBD regimen.

CBN Oil has potential antibacterial properties
We know that cannabinoids in hemp have antibacterial properties. We have not fully researched CBN oil’s potential to fight bacteria, but we do know that several cannabinoids including CBN  have been shown to actively fight bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. 

CBN Oil may increase appetite
CBN may stimulate appetite. This could potentially benefit seniors with dementia, depression, or poor appetite, along with other health conditions that cause appetite changes. A 2012 study demonstrated CBN to effectively increase feeding in rats.  While this is promising there have been no human studies to verify its effectiveness.